Monday, August 31, 2015

Not far enough

Not far
enough

The
governor’s announcement that the state will end its contract with Management
and Training Corporation to operate the private prison in Kingman, where riots
left 16
people injured, does not go far enough to address the public safety and
efficiency concerns related to these for-profit facilities.

It appears
that DOC officials have been aware of staffing problems in both the for-profit
and state-run prisons for some time. A recent report in The Arizona Republic showed that in the last fiscal year, Arizona
had to pay almost $40
million in overtime wages because the 10 state-run prisons have hundreds of
job vacancies.

This
information raises questions around DOC’s ability to investigate itself and
draws criticism of the level of transparency and accountability within the department.
To help restore public confidence, there should be an immediate, independent
investigation of Arizona’s correction system.

For years,
Republicans have repealed statutory oversight of private prisons, while
increasing the number of these for-profit facilities. Until oversight is
restored, an independent investigation is completed and Arizonans are satisfied
that their tax dollars are being used efficiently to protect public safety, all
contracts for future private prisons should be canceled. This
includes the current contract for up to 2,000 new private prison beds.

Let’s #AskDuceyWhy private prisons will
continue to get state support, regardless of ongoing concerns about
accountability, safety and responsible use of taxpayer money.